Sometimes the media would have us believe that there is very little good news to tell. Well, we have found some good news. And we want to share it with you.

• U.S. economic growth in real terms (after inflation) averaged a strong 3.3% annually during the past four years, and there is only a small chance of recession in 2007.



• Air pollution declined 25% over the past 30 years even as the population and the economy grew. Water quality continues to improve.



• The U.S. still accounts for roughly 40% of global research and development spending.



• The nation’s jobless rate averaged 4.6% in 2006, the lowest in nearly six years, and lower than average jobless rates in the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s.



• For every dollar of U.S. economic output generated today, we burn less than half as much oil as three years ago.



• The U.S. rate of home ownership reached 69% of households in recent quarters, the highest ever.



• Global economic growth should exceed 4.0% in 2007 (after inflation) for the fifth consecutive year, the first such occurrence since the early 1970s. Strong growth allows millions of people to rise above poverty.



• Today’s moms and dads, whether working or at home, are spending four to six hours more per week with their children than did the previous generation.



• Some 68.6% of the 2.7 million “Class of ‘05” high school graduates enrolled in colleges and universities, the highest ever.



• Productivity of the average American worker rose an average of 3.0% annually during each of the past five years, the largest gains in 40 years. Rising productivity is a long-term key to higher standards of living.

• Flexible work schedules are now the norm for 43% of workers, up from 29% in 1992 and 13% in 1985. This allows greater flexibility for more people, especially those with children.



• Median (half more, half less) family income now exceeds $54,000 annually.



• A record 29% of men have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher, versus 26% of women, also a record. This compares to a combined 7.7% in 1960. A record 84.6% of adults over age 25 now have at least a high school diploma, versus 24.5% in 1940.

Thanks to Jeff Thredgold and his TeaLeaf Weekly Economic Update for this good news. (http://www.thredgold.com/html/leaf.html)